[olsen]

Switch in Cell’s ‘Power Plant’ Declines with Age, Rejuvenated by Drug


Newswise — Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have found a protein normally involved in blood pressure regulation in a surprising place: tucked within the little “power plants” of cells, the mitochondria. The quantity of this protein appears to decrease with age, but treating older mice with the blood pressure medication losartan can increase protein numbers to youthful levels, decreasing both blood pressure and cellular energy usage. The researchers say these findings, published online during the week of August 15, 2011, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may lead to new treatments for mitochondrial–specific, age-related diseases, such as diabetes, hearing loss, frailty and Parkinson’s disease.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/swi...enated-by-drug

[paula_w]

I've always wondered a little about lack of blood or oxygen with pd but wouldn't we need to increase blood pressure to get more of what's declining? l have low blood pressure and occasional orthostatic hypotension. Does Losartan decrease blood pressure? I know the other blood pressure drug being studied doesn't seem to harm those with already low blood pressure[the name won't come to me].

could we have blockages? it couldn't be that simple.